Soaring Eagle

Soaring Eagle

Soaring Eagle

Facts

Year

2026

Location

Loveland, Colorado

Architectural rendering of Soaring Eagle at dusk: a single-storey house of three gabled volumes clad in dark vertical timber, with full-height glazing and a covered deck on steel posts, sited on an open grass ridge with mountains beyond.

Soaring Eagle is a custom home set on a ridge in Loveland, Colorado, designed in collaboration with Lila Schwyhart Studios.

Soaring Eagle is a custom home set on a ridge in Loveland, Colorado, designed in collaboration with Lila Schwyhart Studios.

A tight footprint on the ridge

Positioned on a ridge within a tightly constrained HOA footprint, Soaring Eagle required careful coordination between layout efficiency, structural strategy, and long-term construction feasibility from the earliest stages of design development. The project demanded a disciplined approach to ensure architectural ambition remained aligned with constructability, site realities, and overall project cost as the design evolved.

In the room early

Fernhill remained closely involved throughout design development, helping guide the project through the lens of constructability, sequencing, and budget awareness before key decisions became difficult to unwind. By contributing early and consistently alongside the design team, the project has been able to evolve in a way that protects both the architectural vision and the practical realities of building on a complex ridge-top site.

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What is pre-construction?

Pre-construction is the planning phase where design, budget, scope, and constructability are aligned before building begins. It typically includes budgeting, scheduling, coordination with the design team, site analysis, and early decision-making that helps establish a stronger foundation for the project overall.

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Cost-plus vs fixed-price construction

Cost-plus construction allows projects to evolve transparently as design decisions are refined, while fixed-price contracts are typically best suited for fully defined scopes with limited change. For architecturally driven residential projects, cost-plus structures often provide greater flexibility and clearer visibility into how decisions impact the overall project budget.

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How does Fernhill work with architects?

Fernhill works closely alongside architects throughout both design development and construction, helping support the project through constructability input, budgeting, coordination, and disciplined execution. The goal is always to protect design intent while ensuring the project remains aligned with the realities of construction.

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Why involve a builder early in design?

Early builder involvement allows key decisions around constructability, cost, sequencing, and site logistics to be addressed while the design is still flexible. This helps reduce unnecessary redesign, maintain alignment with budget expectations, and create a smoother transition into construction.

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What does a custom home cost in Boulder?

Custom home costs in Boulder can vary significantly depending on site conditions, design complexity, level of finish, and structural requirements. At Fernhill, projects typically begin around $700 per square foot, with highly design-driven homes often exceeding $1,000 per square foot depending on the level of customization, structural complexity, and material selection.

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Projects

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